Re: How
Bob Morehead (rmorehead@NLS.NET)
Mon, 6 Jul 1998 15:38:02 -0400
I reject moral relativism. It is an absurd and unworkable excuse to
justify one's desire to act against societal restraints. Relativism
falls apart under the weight of its own "logic." Can anybody see a
difference between these two statements? I can't:
"Just because you think it's wrong doesn't mean I think it's wrong." --
Moral Relativist
"If I say it's OK, then it's OK." -- Anarchist and/or Sociopath
The fact is, Jim, there is a "roadmap" you can use to teach morals,
ethics and values. If you read his writing, BP considered it essential.
It's called the Bible. Galatians 5:22 and 23 is a good starting point.
Now, before the flaming starts, bare in mind, fellow Scouters, that the
basic ethics and morals of the Bible can be taught without prosthelyzing
or showing sectarian bias. Can anybody in a position to know argue that
Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists and Confucianists share common
ethics? The "Golden Rule", for example, can be found in all.
You said "Black and White, Right and Wrong" are easy. Then teach them.
If the lines blurred in college, it's because you allowed them to.
There IS "Black and White" for everything we do. There are still those
of us educated, thinking people who believe in "Natural Law." Supreme
Court Justice Clarence Thomas is one. We hold that, contrary to the
relativist point of view, there IS a universal standard. Some things
are, by their very nature, wrong. Believing thusly does not mean you
are sacrificing your capacity to make judgements or, as you say, think.
It means you recognize an authority higher than yourself and are,
therefor, following the 12th point of the Scout Law.
As for how to get this across, your time-consuming Socratic method of
asking questions "until the light comes on" is the best bet. You won't
save everyone. Some kids will always choose to "do their own thing,"
but it's worth the extra time to help the kids who will choose the right
way.
YIS
Bob Morehead
ASM, Troop 381
Copley, Ohio
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City |
